Nelson Matches Watson, Then Beats Him

Larry Nelson eagled No. 17 to counter an eagle by Tom Watson on the same hole and went on to win the $1.5-million Boone Valley Classic by three strokes Sunday at Augusta, Mo.

Watson chipped in from more than 50 feet off the green to go 15 under and take a one-stroke lead over Nelson, who was playing in the same group.

Nelson was about 10 feet off the green and about 20 feet from the hole on the 491-yard par-five when he made his chip to get to 16 under and take a one-stroke lead.

Nelson made a par on 18 for a four-under-par 68 and 16-under 200 total. Watson, whose runner-up finish was his second in as many weeks, lost any chance to force a playoff when he hit his approach shot into the water in front of No. 18 and made a double-bogey six for a closing 70.

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Third-round leader Kelli Kuehne had a two-shot lead with one hole to play in the LPGA Corning Classic at Corning, N.Y., but had a double bogey to force a three-way playoff, which Betsy King won with birdie on the second extra hole.

It was King’s 33rd victory--and eighth in 14 playoffs.

Vicki Goetze-Ackerman, who had a final-round 67, was finished when Kuehne’s mishap at 18 put her in the playoff.

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The Memorial Tournament at Dublin, Ohio, fast gaining the same soggy reputation as Pebble Beach, had the final round Sunday delayed until today because of heavy rain that flooded the course. Apparently only the weather could keep Tiger Woods from winning. He has a six-stroke lead. CBS will carry the final round, tentatively from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. PDT.